Following the start of Cultural Revolution, he dropped out of the university and joined the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 1967.

Party documents later released state: "the plane was making for the Soviet Union but was inadequately fueled for such a trip; it also had on board neither navigator nor radio operator.

Skeptics have claimed that Lin's decision to flee to the Soviet Union was illogical, on the grounds that the United States or Taiwan would have been safer destinations.

[2]: 35 From November 1980 to January 1981, the trial of the members belonging to the "counter-revolutionary" group of Lin Biao and Gang of Four was held in Beijing.

In particular, five high-ranking military personnel, including Wu Faxian, appeared before the court, where they testified that Lin Liguo was actively involved in Project 571.